What if the meter reader comes late?

According to the tariff structure first announced in April, if consumption of electricity exceeds each block even by one unit, the consumer will be charged at the unit rate for the higher block.

Although this has been relaxed for lower blocks in the subsequent revision, the higher blocks face the same problem. If the monthly consumption is 180 units, the electricity bill, according to the April tariff structure, will be Rs. 5,355. If it is 181 units, the bill will be Rs. 6,396. In other words, the consumer will pay Rs. 1,041 for one extra unit. This extra unit may be consumed on the day on which the meter reader will be taking the reading. If he delays in taking the reading by a few minutes or hours, the customer may be penalised. Since the meter reader cannot take all readings at the same time, it is necessary for the CEB to introduce a system to avoid this problem. The following suggestions are made for consideration by the CEB:

Meter readings should be automated as done in some countries so that the CEB has control over wrong readings, delayed readings and other cor- rupt activities.

The meter reader should be given specific instruction as to the period before which the reading should be taken.

The time and date of reading should be recorded in the bill so that the customer could make an appeal to the CEB for delayed readings.

Concerned Customer